mcspool Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 (edited) Is the missing AVRE the one that was dug up from under the road?Or is this the first shown in your post (position of the turret) Hi Steve, As confirmed by Maurice, the first one is indeed "One Charlie" - read the full story at http://www.tankmuseum.org/forum/blog.php?b=8 It is one of only a few AFVs on display in Normandy which actually landed during Overlord let alone on 6 June. The only others I can think of are the exhibits at the Courselles museum. Most others are AFVs used post-war and then placed as memorials. Of course the tourists in Normandy are led to believe everything they see landed on 6 June! Hanno Edited October 15, 2010 by mcspool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pzkpfw-e Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Yes, it's the turret from a Churchill MkII. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 hi cordenj you are right, it is a mk 1 or 2 churchill turret, i remember seeing a similar thread with a sherman turret that had been used for demolition training by the US sappers on the run up to d-day. it's very likely yours has a similar story to tell. great post eddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Thanks Eddy, Manmade ground depressions and pits could indicate it was used as training area. This turret is in Broadwater Warren RSPB reserve near Tunbridge Wells. Speaking to one of the RSPB staff, I was pleased to hear that they are planning a "heritage trail" for the reserve to include the turret. I also found the remains of a CMP vehicle, but very very little left... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Churchill Turret Dieppe, Atlantic Wall Churchill In German Service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Churchill Mine Clearing Funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Churchill Double Onion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Churchill Bridgelayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Recovery Variant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 And Churchill being Recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Churchill Fascine Carrier And Bobbin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 And a repost, Double Vampire Churchill snowblowing in Horncastle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 the last one is a bit of a surprise as I thought they tested the goblin engine on a valentine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Cordenj I was told by the ranger that it is a Mk1 Churchill. as eddy said it is a Mk1 or Mk2 turret. Without a hull and without a serial number (sometimes the Serial and a name were painted on the turret sides) it is impossible to say which type it is -only the hull gun mount and ammunition stowage is different. I get the impression that these orphaned turrets were used to train infantry in attack techniques on "stellungs" German tank turret strongpoints which were common in German defence lines back to the desert war. It may be significant that the remains seem to have little or no battle damage. By 1944 a number of Mk1 and 2 Churchills had been handed over for targeting, the one shown was below was on Leysdown range on the Isle of Shepey. At least 6 were set up as an escort ring around the main vehicle line a Goswick Air gunnery and bombing range near Lindesfarne island Northumberland and of course the Storrington tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Pictures of the two Churchills plus a turret in Iraq: http://news.webshots.com/album/125766214yqZCTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 the last one is a bit of a surprise as I thought they tested the goblin engine on a valentine. Here is a bit more.... http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?17437-Winter-1947 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Another AVRE Fascine and an Ark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 79th Armoured Division Crocodile doing housekeeping at Belsen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 By 1944 a number of Mk1 and 2 Churchills had been handed over for targeting, the one shown was below was on Leysdown range on the Isle of Shepey. At least 6 were set up as an escort ring around the main vehicle line a Goswick Air gunnery and bombing range near Lindesfarne island Northumberland and of course the Storrington tank. Yes, definitely no battle damage on the Broadwater turret....just oxy cuts. By the "Storrington Tank" do you mean this one (photographed it last year): John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 As this is a Churchill Gallery....here are three from Overloon: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 And three from Normandy 2004, Juno Beach and Hill 112. I know they have already been included in the gallery, but slightly different views: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 June 2009 Juno Beach: being prepped again for the 6th: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 (edited) After Adrian's "before" pictures, here's a couple of "after" pictures. Taken in June 2009 during the wreath laying ceremony. Like you said Adrian, this Churchill should have been restored to running order. But it is a fitting tribute to those who suffered at Hill 112. The gentleman in the centre of the first picture is Albert Figg, the driving force behind the memorial. See http://www.hill112.com/ for more information. He is still full of energy, telling the school kids about his wartime experiences and not afraid to comment on what the veterans were subjected to a few days earlier. Jack, wouldn't this be a great feature for your magazine? HTH, Hanno Good point Hanno - I will get on it on Monday morning as author and tank vet Ken Tout OBE will be joining us at the new Pathfinder online :-) Edited October 16, 2010 by Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 (edited) As this is a Churchill Gallery....here are three from Overloon: Important addition, as this is one of those rare tanks with a known wartime history. Churchill V “Jackal” was in No 2Sq HQ troop of 4th Tank Battalion Coldstream Guards of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade. It was destroyed by German Rigel mine(s) on 12th October 1944 in front of Overloon. Two crew members were killed, the other three were were seriously injured. Its commander Capt Dick McDougal lost a leg. Bob Dare, 20 years old at that time, suffered severe burns. The fifth crew member (to be confirmed), sergeant John Lambert, lost both legs. Picture postcard below shows “Jackal” while on display outside. It has recently been repainted and moved inside the new museum building. Edited October 16, 2010 by mcspool added picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordenj Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Important addition, as this is one of those rare tanks with a known wartime history. Churchill V “Jackal” Yes, I saw Jackal before it was moved inside and have seen the mine damage. Repaint has left all the battle damage untouched. Very sobering to look underneath and see where the floor was blasted up into the driver's area....and knowing what happened to the crew. jnc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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